Tobacco pipe smoke-dehydrating accessory

ABSTRACT

A disposable smoke-dehydrating device that may be removably positioned in a confined space defined by the rear portion of the bore in the shank of any conventional pipe, which shank supports a tobacco bowl, with a longitudinal smoke passage being formed in the forward portion of the pipe stem, which stem removably and slidably engages said bore. The dehydrating device is an elongate body formed from a moisture-absorbing material such as balsa wood or the like, with the body tapering longitudinally, and the body when disposed at least partially in the shank of the bowl of a pipe cooperating therewith to define a smoke-conducting passage that is in communication with the stem and bowl of the pipe.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Norman M.Pokras 3960 Bouton Drive, Lakewood, Calif. 90812 [21] AppLNo. 808,434 [22] Filed Mar. 19, 1969 [45] Patented June8,197l

[54] TOBACCO PIPE SMOKE DEHYDRATING ACCESSORY 2 Claims, 6 Drawing Figs.

(52] U.S.CI. 131/203, 131/209 [51] 1nt.C1 A24i 1/20 [50] FieldoiSearch 131/200, 201,202, 203, 188, 189, 209, 217

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 415,690 11/1889 Wuterich 131/200X 1,280,779 10/1918 Lipscomb l31/217X 1,556,236 10/1925 Miller 131/203X 2,117,492 5/1938 Meyer... 131/200 3,399,681 9/1968 Lodi 131/189 Primary Examiner-Joseph S. Reich Attorney-William C. Babcock ABSTRACT: A disposable smoke-dehydrating device that may be removably positioned in a confined space defined by the rear portion of the bore in the shank of any conventional pipe, which shank supports a tobacco bowl, with a longitudinal smoke passage being formed in the forward portion of the pipe stem, which stem removably and slidably engages said bore. The dehydrating device is an elongate body formed from a moisture-absorbing material such as balsa wood or the like, with the body tapering longitudinally, and the body when disposed at least partially in the shank of the bowl of a pipe cooperating therewith to define a smoke-conducting passage that is in communication with the stem and bowl of the pipe.

PATENTEUJUN 8:971 3,583,407

INVENTOR. NORMAN M Pawns TOBACCO PIPE SMOKE DEHYDRATING ACCESSORY BACKGROUND OF THE INV ENTION I. Field of the Invention Tobacco smoke dehydrating device.

2. Description of the Prior Art Smoking of tobacco in pipes is an extremely old art. The conventional present-day or modern pipe includes a combination bowl and shank, with the shank having a bore extending longitudinally therethrough to communicate with the interior of the bowl. The modem-day pipe also includes a stem, throughout the length of which a smoke passage extends. The rear portion of the stem is so fashioned as to define a bit intended to be gripped between the teeth of the smoker, with the forward end of the stern being circumferentially recessed to define a tubular boss that either slidably, or by means of threads formed thereon, removably engages the bore in the stem.

When the stem and shank are in engagement, the forward part of the smoke passage and at least the rear portion of the bore in the shank cooperatively define a confined space in which moisture from the tobacco smoke passing therethrough tends to be deposited. Moisture so deposited will dissolve hydrocarbons and nicotine from the tobacco smoke flowing through the bore, with the moisture being converted to a brown, gummy mass having a bitter disagreeable taste if it is drawn through the smoke passage into the smokers mouth.

In an effort to prevent the occurrence of such a contingency, various forms of apertured and baffled devices have been devised and used to a limited extent in the bores in specially constructed pipe shanks, but if fabricated from metal, such devices actually increase the quantity of moisture condensation from the smoke, which soon clogs said a ertures. Such clogged apertures make it necessary for the smoker to exert a greater draw on the pipe, which increases the likelihood that portions of the moisture with dissolved hydrocarbons and nicotine will be thus drawn into his mouth. Due to the operational disadvantage of the prior-art traps of the type described, many experienced smokers immediately remove the same from a pipe after the purchase thereof. In addition, many such devices are made for a specific type of pipe.

The present invention is a disposable unit that may be removably inserted in the confined space defined by the rear portion of the bore in a conventional pipe shank and the forward portion of the smoke passage in the stem, with the unit serving to dehydrate the smoke, which unit is free of the operational disadvantages common to prior devices of the character described.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An elongate, generally triangular smoke-dehydrating unit of a moisture-absorbing material, with the apex portion of said unit being removably supported from the forward portion of said smoke passage. When said unit is so supported it cooperates with a bore in the shank to provide elongate passages through which smoke can pass from the pipe bowl into the smoke passage in said stem. As the smoke flows through the passage it is dehydrated due to the absorbent nature of the material defining the unit. After a unit has absorbed a substantial amount of moisture, hydrocarbons and nicotine which dissolve in the moistened unit and it is discarded and a new unit substituted therefor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional tobacco pipe including a bowl, shank, and stem;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the pipe shown in FIG. 1, taken on the line 2-2 thereof, with the shank and stem being separated to permit disposition of one of the smoke-dehydrating units inside the pipe;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the pipe in an assembled condition, with the smoke-dehydrating unit inserted therein;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a first form of smoke dehydrating unit;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a second form of smokedehydrating unit;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a third form of smokedehydrating unit;

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A conventional tobacco pipe A is shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 that includes a bowl 8 and shank C extending from the lower portion thereof. A bore 10 extends through the shank C and communicates with the interior of the bowl B. The bore 10 tapers rearwardly and outwardly to develop into a portion 12 of constant diameter.

Pipe A includes a stem D, on the rear end of which a bit E is formed that is adapted to be gripped between the smokers teeth (not shown). The forward end of stem D is recessed circumferentially to define a boss 14 that is slidably or screwthreaded into the rear bore portion 12. A smoke passage 16 extends throughout the length of stem D and boss 14.

A first form of smoke-dehydrating unit F is shown in FIG. 4 that isfabricated from balsa wood or other moisture absorbent material, which is of longitudinal triangular shape, and includes an enlarged portion 18 (FIG. 3) that is disposed within a confined space G of the shank C that is defined by the rear portion of the bore 10. An apex portion 20 of unit F is removably supported in the forward part 16a of the smoke passage 16.

In transverse cross section, the first form F of the smokedehydrating unit (FIG. 4) is T-shaped, and has two spaced, longitudinally extending grooves 22 formed therein by legs 24, 26, and 28. When the first form F of the unit is disposed in the pipe A, as illustrated in FIG. 3, tobacco smoke traveling rearwardly from the bowl B to the stem D is dehydrated as it is channeled by the grooves 22 to contact the absorbent material defining the unit.

A second form H of the smoke-dehydrating unit is illustrated in FIG. 5 that is similar to the first form F of the unit, and serves the same purpose. The second form H of the unit is of cross-shaped transverse cross section defined by four legs 30, 32, 34, and 36, and these legs cooperatively define four longitudinally extending grooves 38 through which the smoke from the bowl B flows as it passes to the stem D. In flowing through the grooves 38 the smoke is dehydrated by contacting the absorbent material of the second form H of the unit.

A third form J of the unit is shown in FIG. 6 that is in the form of a slim elongate cone 40 fabricated from a moisture absorbent material in which a spiral groove 42 is defined. The third form .I of the unit is used in the same manner as the first and second forms thereof, and likewise serves to dehydrate tobacco smoke as it is drawn rearwardly through the groove 42. Although numerous moisture absorbent materials may be used in the fabrication of the first, second, and third forms F, H and 1, respectively, of the unit, balso wood is preferred for this purpose due to the fact that it is highly moisture absorbent, inexpensive, and easy to form into a desired configuration.

Operation of the various forms of moisture absorbent units have been previously described in detail, and further description thereof is not required.

I claim:

1. In combination with a tobacco pipe having a bowl that includes a rearwardly extending shank in which a bore of substantial transverse cross section is provided and a smoke passage-defining stem that slidably engages the rear portion of said bore, a disposable elongate smoke-dehydrating member in which at least one longitudinally extending groove is formed, with said member being of longitudinal triangular shape and formed from a water absorbent material, which member is of such size that an apex portion thereof is removably supported in the forward part of said smoke passage in said stem, and a base portion of said member is disposed in said bore in said shank, with the smoke from said bowl being dehydrated of moisture as it is drawn rearwardly through said bore and passage due to contact with the portion of said member that defines each of said grooves, and said member having a T-shaped transverse cross section along the major portion of the longitudinal length thereof.

2. In combination with a tobacco pipe having a bowl that includes a rearwardly extending shank in which a bore of substantial transverse cross section is provided and a smoke passage-defining stem that slidably engages the rear portion of said bore, a disposable elongate smoke-dehydrating member in which at least one longitudinally extending groove is formed, with said member being of longitudinal triangular shape and formed from a water absorbent material, which member is of such size that an apex portion thereof is removably supported in the forward part of said smoke passage in said stem, and a base portion of said member is disposed in said bore in said shank, with the smoke from said bowl being dehydrated of moisture as it is drawn rearwardly through said bore and passage due to contact with the portion of said member that defines each of said grooves, and said member having a cross-shaped transverse cross section along the major portion of the longitudinal length thereof thereby forming four longitudinally extending grooves. 

1. In combination with a tobacco pipe having a bowl that includes a rearwardly extending shank in which a bore of substantial transverse cross section is provided and a smoke passage-defining stem that slidably engages the rear portion of said bore, a disposable elongate smoke-dehydrating member in which at least one longitudinally extending groove is formed, with said member being of longitudinal triangular shape and formed from a water absorbent material, which member is of such size that an apex portion thereof is removably supported in the forward part of said smoke passage in said stem, and a base portion of said member is disposed in said bore in said shank, with the smoke from said bowl being dehydrated of moisture as it is drawn rearwardly through said bore and passage due to contact with the portion of said member that defines each of said grooves, and said member having a T-shaped transverse cross section along the major portion of the longitudinal length thereof.
 2. In combination with a tobacco pipe having a bowl that includes a rearwardly extending shank in which a bore of substantial transverse cross section is provided and a smoke passage-defining stem that slidably engages the rear portion of said bore, a disposable elongate smoke-dehydrating member in which at least one longitudinally extending groove is formed, with said member being of longitudinal triangular shape and formed from a water absorbent material, which member is of such size that an apex portion thereof is removably supported in the forward part of said smoke passage in said stem, and a base portion of said member is disposed in said bore in said shank, with the smoke from said bowl being dehydrated of moisture as it is drawn rearwardly through said bore and passage due to contact with the portion of said member that defines each of said grooves, and said member having a cross-shaped transverse cross section along the major portion of the longitudinal length thereof thereby forming four longitudinally extending grooves. 